Item hanger

ABSTRACT

A hanger adapted to support a wall hanging. The hanger includes a first bracket substantially T-shaped and adapted to be mounted to a wall. The T-shaped bracket includes a channel. The hanger also includes a second bracket adapted to be secured to the wall hanging. The second bracket includes a protrusion adapted to engage the channel of the T-shaped bracket.

BACKGROUND

Homes, museums, offices, schools, and other places utilize wall hangings, such as pictures and paintings, for decoration. The wall hangings are typically supported on the wall with a hook and require maneuvering to get the wall hanging level or straight.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the invention provides a hanger adapted to support a wall hanging on a structure. The hanger includes a first bracket and a second bracket. The first bracket includes a horizontal member and a second member. The horizontal member includes a length and a track that extends the length of the horizontal member. The track is defined by a base, a first wall, and a second wall. The second wall has a height that is greater than a height of the first wall. The first bracket is adapted to be secured to the structure. The second bracket is adapted to receive the wall hanging and includes a protrusion adapted to be received by the track.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a hanger adapted to support a wall hanging on a wall. The hanger includes a first fixture and a second fixture. The first fixture includes a horizontal base, a channel in the horizontal base, and an aperture adapted to receive a fastener to secure the first fixture to the wall. The second fixture is adapted to receive the wall hanging and includes a first surface, and a protrusion having a base extending outwardly from the first surface and a lip extending downwardly from the base. The lip is adapted to engage the channel in the horizontal base.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a hanger comprising a T-shaped bracket including a channel. The T-shaped bracket is adapted to be secured to a wall of a building. A second bracket includes a protrusion with a first surface, a base extending outwardly from the first surface, and a lip extending downwardly from the base. The lip is adapted to engage the channel in the T-shaped bracket.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a hanger according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the hanger of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a bracket of the hanger of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the bracket of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a bracket of the hanger of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the bracket of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a bracket of the hanger of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the bracket of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a plurality of hangers of FIG. 1 mounted to wall studs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary hanger or coupling assembly 10 adapted to support a wall hanging 14 on a wall 18. The coupling assembly 10 enables the wall hanging 14 to be releaseably coupled to the wall 18. It is noted that the coupling assembly 10 can be used to support objects other than wall hangings 14, such as shelves, lighting fixtures, and other items.

The coupling assembly 10 includes a first fixture or bracket 22 adapted to be mounted to the wall 18 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The bracket 22 can be comprised of aluminum, other metal materials, or other rigid materials. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the bracket 22 includes a generally horizontal member 26 and a generally vertical member 30. It is noted that the bracket 22 can be one of a variety of shapes and does not require the vertical member 30. The vertical member 30 can be integral with the horizontal member 26 or releaseably coupled to the horizontal member 26.

The horizontal member 26 includes at least one track 34. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the track 34 is open-ended and is in the form of a U-shaped channel that extends along the length of the horizontal member 26. The track 34 includes a base 38 and a first wall 42 and a second wall 46 that extend upwardly from the base 38. The first wall 42 and the second wall 46 each comprise a length, a height, and a width. The length of the first wall 42 and the second wall 46 is generally the same as the length of the horizontal member 26. It is noted that the length of the first wall 42 and/or the second wall 46 can vary from the length of the horizontal member 26. The height of the second wall 46 is greater than the height of the first wall 42.

The bracket 22 may be configured to support a level (such as a bubble level) to assist the user in verifying that the wall hanging 14 will be appropriately situated on the wall 18 when coupled to the wall 18. For example, the level can be positioned and supported on the first wall 42 of the horizontal member 26. Alternatively, the bracket 22 can include a level embedded or mounted in the horizontal member 26 and/or the vertical member 30.

The vertical member 30 includes a plurality of apertures 50. Each aperture 50 is adapted to receive a fastener 54 such as a screw, a bolt, or a nail. The fastener 54 is inserted through the aperture 50 and secures the bracket 22 to the wall 18.

The hanger 10 also includes a bracket 58 (illustrated in FIGS. 5-8) adapted to be mounted to the wall hanging 14. FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a first embodiment of the bracket 58 (referred to as 58A). The bracket 58A includes a first side 62 and a second side 66. The first side 62 includes a T-shaped protrusion 70 located toward one end 74 of the bracket 58A and is adapted to be received in the track 34 in the horizontal member 26. The protrusion 70 extends outwardly with respect to the first side 62. The protrusion 70 includes a base 78, a first lip 82, and a second lip 86. The orientation of the bracket 58A shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate that the first lip 82 is upwardly directed and the second lip is downwardly directed. However, the bracket 58A can be flipped when in use and, therefore, the first lip 82 could be downwardly directed and the second lip 86 could be upwardly directed. The first lip 82 and the second lip 86 of the protrusion 70 are generally complementary-shaped with respect to the track 34, which is adapted to engage the first lip 82 or the second lip 86. In one embodiment, the bracket 58A may slide along the track 34.

The first side 62 of bracket 58A also includes a plurality of apertures 82 adapted to receive a fastener 86 such as a screw, a bolt, or a nail. The fastener 86 is inserted through the aperture 82 and adapted to secure the bracket 58A to the backside of the wall hanging 14. The second side 66 of the bracket 58A is generally flat to correspond with the backside of the wall hanging 14.

The bracket 58A can be releaseably secured to the backside of a frame or border of the wall hanging 14. The bracket 58A can be coupled to the bracket 22 (e.g., the first lip 82 or the second lip 86 engages the track 34) to support the wall hanging 14. It is noted that a plurality of brackets 58A can be mounted to the backside of the frame or border and used to support the wall hanging 14 in the bracket 22 or brackets 22.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a second embodiment of the bracket 58 (referred to as 58B) adapted to be mounted to the wall hanging 14. The bracket 58B includes a first side 90 and a second side 94. The first side 90 includes an L-shaped protrusion 98 located at an end 102 of the bracket 58B and is adapted to be received in the track 34 of bracket 22. The protrusion 98 extends outwardly with respect to the first side 90. The protrusion 98 includes a base 106 and a downwardly directed lip 110. The downwardly directed lip 110 of the protrusion 98 is generally complementary-shaped with respect to the track 34. For example, the lip 110 is adapted to engage the track 34. In one embodiment, the bracket 58B may slide along the track 34.

The first side 90 also includes a plurality of apertures 114 adapted to receive a fastener 118 such as a screw, a bolt, or a nail. The fastener 118 is inserted through the aperture 114 and adapted to secure the bracket 58B to the backside of the wall hanging 14. The second side 94 of the bracket 58B is generally flat to correspond with the backside of the wall hanging 14.

The bracket 58B can be releaseably secured to the backside of a frame or border of the wall hanging 14. The bracket 58B can be coupled to the bracket 22 (e.g., the downwardly directed lip 110 engages the track 34) to support the wall hanging 14. It is noted that a plurality of brackets 58B can be mounted to the backside of the frame or border and used to support the wall hanging 14 in the bracket 22 or brackets 22.

Most buildings (homes, offices, and other buildings) include walls having certain dimensional constraints. For example, many walls include studs or beams 122 configured in a parallel arrangement and located 10″, 14″, 16″, or 18″ apart measured from a center of each stud or beam, thereby leaving a width between studs or beams 122 of between 2 and 6 inches less than these dimensions (e.g., 8.5″, 12.5″, 14.5″, and 16.5″). These and other standard spacings between wall studs or beams 122 represent possible constraints upon the size, shape, weight, and location of a wall hanging, such as the wall hanging 14.

FIG. 9 illustrates a plurality of hangers 10 that can support wall hanging 14. A heavy wall hanging 14 may require more than one bracket 22 secured to more than one wall stud or beam 122 to support the weight. Also, the size of a wall hanging 14 may not permit the use of a wall stud or beam 122 due to the width between the wall studs or beams 122. In addition, the desirable location of the wall hanging 14 on the wall 18 may not permit the use of a wall stud or beam 122. A plurality of hangers 10 can be utilized to support the wall hanging 14 regardless of the size of the wall hanging 14. The vertical member 30 is secured to the wall stud or beam 122 and the horizontal member 26, which extends to the left and/or right of the stud or beam 122, can receive the bracket 58A, 58B. Therefore, the wall hanging 14 can be variously sized and still be coupled to the wall 18 at a desired location regardless of stud or beam 122 location.

Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims. 

1. A hanger adapted to support a wall hanging on a structure, the hanger comprising: a first bracket including a horizontal member and a second member, the horizontal member including a length and a track that extends the length of the horizontal member, the track defined by a base, a first wall, and a second wall, the second wall having a height greater than a height of the first wall, the first bracket adapted to be secured to the structure; and a second bracket adapted to receive a wall hanging and including a protrusion adapted to be received by the track, wherein the protrusion includes a base and a lip that extends from the base, the lip adapted to engage the track, the second bracket adapted to slide along the track.
 2. The hanger of claim 1 wherein the second member extends substantially perpendicular to the horizontal member.
 3. The hanger of claim 2 wherein the second member includes an aperture adapted to receive a fastener to secure the first bracket to the structure.
 4. The hanger of claim 1 wherein the second bracket includes an aperture adapted to receive a fastener to secure the second bracket to the wall hanging.
 5. (canceled)
 6. The hanger of claim 1 wherein the protrusion includes a base, a first lip that extends downwardly from the base, and a second lip that extends upwardly from the base, one of the first lip and the second lip adapted to be received in the track.
 7. A hanger adapted to support a wall hanging on a wall, the hanger comprising: a first fixture including a horizontal base, a channel in the horizontal base, and an aperture adapted to receive a fastener to secure the first fixture to the wall, and a second fixture adapted to receive a wall hanging, the second fixture including a first surface, and a protrusion having a base extending outwardly from the first surface and a lip extending downwardly from the base, the lip adapted to engage the channel in the horizontal base, the second fixture adapted to slide along the channel.
 8. The hanger of claim 7 wherein the first fixture includes a vertical member integral with the horizontal base.
 9. The hanger of claim 8 wherein the vertical member includes an aperture adapted to receive a fastener to secure the first bracket to the wall.
 10. The hanger of claim 7 wherein the horizontal base includes a length, the channel extending the length of the horizontal base.
 11. The hanger of claim 7 wherein the first fixture includes a first wall that extends outwardly from the horizontal base and a second wall that extends outwardly from the horizontal base, the second wall having a height greater than a height of the first wall.
 12. The hanger of claim 11 wherein the horizontal base includes a length, the first wall and the second wall extending the length of the horizontal base.
 13. The hanger of claim 7 wherein the protrusion of the second fixture includes a second lip that extends upwardly from the horizontal base.
 14. A hanger comprising: a T-shaped bracket including a channel, the T-shaped bracket adapted to be secured to a wall of a building structure; and a second bracket adapted to receive a wall hanging, the second bracket including a protrusion having a first surface, a base extending outwardly from the first surface, and a lip extending downwardly from the base, the lip adapted to engage the channel in the T-shaped bracket.
 15. The hanger of claim 14 wherein the T-shaped bracket includes a horizontal member and a vertical member integral with the horizontal member.
 16. The hanger of claim 15 wherein the horizontal member includes the channel, the vertical member including an aperture adapted to receive a fastener to secure the T-shaped bracket to the wall of the building structure.
 17. The hanger of claim 15 wherein the horizontal member includes a base, a first wall, and a second wall, the channel being defined by the base, the first wall, and the second wall.
 18. The hanger of claim 17 wherein the first wall and the second wall extend outwardly from the base, the first wall and the second wall being in a parallel configuration.
 19. The hanger of claim 17 wherein the horizontal member includes a length, the first wall and the second wall extending the length of the horizontal member.
 20. The hanger of claim 17 wherein the first wall and the second wall include a height, the height of the second wall being greater than the height of the first wall.
 21. The hanger of claim 1 wherein the lip extends from the base in a first direction, and wherein the protrusion includes a second lip that extends from the base in a second direction opposite the first direction, and wherein one of the lip and the second lip is adapted to engage the track. 